Hello all,

My work permit is due to expire in April and for various reasons I am not going to renew it. I have become involved with a Thai lady and wish to stay here long term. I am at the age where I could apply for a retirement visa however the necessary money is tied up in a term deposit overseas for the next 9 months. I have to go home (Aus) for a month or so for family reasons sometime in July. So what are my options?

1. non-O visa although I have no idea if I qualify or where to apply for one. I have heard that such a visa can be obtained for visiting family/friends.

2. 2 x 60 day tourist visas each capable of a 30 day extension at immigration. If this is the best way where should I go to get one? I live in BKK. Is there a visa run type company who could take me? I have read that some of these companies are very good in that they handle all the paperwork, transport etc.

3. any other option?

I know that the money for a retirement visa must be in my account for 60 days prior to application. Does this money have to come from outside Thailand?

TIA.

1. You might get a single entry to check retirement options being over 50 but you would not obtain to visit friends anymore.

2. Vientiane is the normal place to obtain two entry visa and there are organized trips if you google. Most people prefer doing themselves as that long a van ride can be very uncomfortable (especially is some are hygiene challenged).

3. During OZ visit you could obtain a non immigrant O-A visa from official consulate using funds in OZ, police report and medical. That could cover almost two years before money required to be shown in Thailand.

Post containing reference to illegal activities removed.

lopburi,

Thank-you for the reply. I guess I would still have to obtain a single tourist visa to cover the period from April until June as I am not due to go back to Oz until either late June or early July (birth of first grandchild ). Is there some where closer than Laos for me to get one of those?

:3. During OZ visit you could obtain a non immigrant O-A visa from official consulate using funds in OZ, police report and medical. That could cover almost two years before money required to be shown in Thailand."

Would you please expand on this answer as I have never heard of this option before. Are you saying that I could apply for a retirement visa in Oz? How does this equate to nearly two years? Perhaps a link to the requirements would be helpful should you have one.

A Multi Entry Non Imm O-A Visa is valid for a year and gives a stay of 12 months on each entry.

Do a border run just before it expires and you get another 12 months giving a total of 2 years.

Click on "Long Stay Visa" for details.

http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/visa.html

http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/doc/info/visa/info_long_stay_visa.pdf

A multi entry will allow unlimited entry for the one year validity of visa and each entry gets a new one year stay from date of entry - so if you enter the day before visa expires you will have another year stay allowed (but you will require re-entry permits to keep it alive if you travel). So almost two years of use.

Thanks for the replies guys and the link. The link was very helpful.

I will still need to get a single tourist visa to cover the period between my work permit expiry and when I wish to go back home (June/July). Is there anywhere closer to BKK than Vientiane to obtain one?

Not really - in time. You could get in Vientiane, Savannakhet, Phnom Penh (may take 4 days), Penang, Kuala Lumpur by land but Vientiane has best access with direct train/bus and you can fly to Udon and only an hour away (cheaper than international flights).